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About Tai Chi Chuan

What is this name? Taijiquan, Tai Chi Chuan, or TCC, is pronounced in English as 'Tie-Jee-choun'. It is often called 'tai chi', or simply just taiji. It is an internal martial art of Chinese origin. Many would like to know this taiji but few get to fully experience it because in order to get benefits from this art one has to let go of the idea about having to do Tai Chi and let it 'do' the one. Patience and lack of expectation are learned traits that can help one get below the surface of TCC. Following are some valuable benefits awaiting those who choose to practice TCC long enough to feel results.

TCC offers us all a chance to condition our beings through forms and principles. Slow form work provides the ‘mover’ with stability, confidence, and greater awareness. TCC is used to improve balance, and yields a better training effect on dynamic balance than swimming. A person can be present in the body and experience sensations relating to weight transfer over longer periods of time. These movements de-emphasize pre-existing body patterns and help reduce mechanical stresses. Old patterns can be a result of adaptive mitigation in how we learn to move after injuries, or simply from chronic poor posture due to atrophy and lack of movement over time.

Health challenges, such as autoimmune disease and other illnesses that affect physical movement and balance are met with TCC and are compensated for with stronger energy flow. Inflamation is reduced and muscular balance increased as TCC is practiced regularly and with guidance to insure correctness.
This classic system has developed over thousands of years through Traditional Chinese Medicine, and was created for defense more than offence. Today, the health defense provided by TCC is a powerful return to one who invests in authentic training.

The exercise component of TCC includes a variety of conscious movements that are low impact and non-strenuous. These forms are done with smooth continuous movements created by linking upright postures together. Learning through the whole body is powerful, and slow repetitive sequences will cultivate relaxation while strengthening the body. Continual study of this meditative movement therapy enhances quality of life and functional capacity.

TCC can be recommended to patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia as a complementary and alternative medical approach. Is an effective non-pharmacological approach, along with rehabilitation, for the maintenance of cognitive function in the elderly with Cerebral Vascular Disorder and aids in improvement of sleep quality and depressive symptoms without traditional rehabilitation. Simple, gentle TCC can be applied as regular daily exercise for people with type 2 diabetes even when they are obese. Practice leads to improved lower-limb muscle function and better physical condition overall, with less pain during exercise and in daily life.
TCC helps to promote postural stability; decrease falls; enhance cardiovascular and ventilator functions; and rehabilitate acute myocardial infarction. Stress reduction, increased body awareness, and higher confidence in moving are reported by practitioners around the world.

A deep purpose of study is to find and understand yourself, then promote the value of your life's meaning, and naturally cultivate a higher spiritual level. Contact training is a powerful tool in this regard and through the interactive studies of traditional TCC curriculum practitioners will develop a greater awareness of association. Due to magnified energy flow and a stronger personal rhythm, students who train together will build a better sense of connection to others.

TCC is a unified approach to natural development by balancing of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects of life.